Ian McKellen

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McKellen, a prolific British stage and film actor, as well as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a knight, came out in 1988 when Britain's "Section 28," prohibiting the promotion of gay lifestyles in schools, was being considered in Parliament. He co-founded and continues to work for Stonewall, the powerful British LGBT lobbying group.

McKellen, a prolific British stage and film actor, as well as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a knight, came out in 1988 when Britain's "Section 28," prohibiting the promotion of gay lifestyles in schools, was being considered in Parliament. He co-founded and continues to work for Stonewall, the powerful British LGBT lobbying group. (RAFA RIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

McKellen, a prolific British stage and film actor, as well as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a knight, came out in 1988 when Britain's "Section 28," prohibiting the promotion of gay lifestyles in schools, was being considered in Parliament. He co-founded and continues to work for Stonewall, the powerful British LGBT lobbying group.